The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

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The Chronicles of Heaven's Gate

Brigand and I worked off and on for almost a month before "finishing" the map. Since the campaign setting is still being written, there are details that will change over time and as the campaign is played, things will be change to match current events. We know that the map does not have a scale or compass rose. These details have been left out by choice. DM's can tailor the scale to match their preferred DM'ing style and the top of a map is universally recognized as north.

The map started out from sheer boredom. I was messing around in Photoshop and used the clouds and difference clouds filter with clashing colors. A shape started to emerge, so I desaturated the colors and used threshold to get a suitably natural looking and interesting coastline for the skylands. This was the most painstakingly boring part of the process, since the entire map was covered with thousands of tiny islands and I needed to clear out some space.

I sent the finished black and white image to Brigand who started filling in details and applying colors. After several false starts with finding a suitable style for the mountains and forests, I pointed out some tutorials from these forums and together, we came up with a variation on them with different textures to finish creating the map below. Now, with the layers set up in proper order with the right effects placed on them and the textures turned into seamless tiled patterns, either of us can create a map like the one below in an hour or two.